Book drying apparatus



Feb. 14, 1967 A. cRAwLEY m 3,303,579

BOOK DRY ING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 8 SheeS-Sheet 2 NVENTOR.

Feb. 14, 1967 A. cRAwLl-:Y nl

BOOK DRYING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 INVENTOR.

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BOOK DRYING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 NVENTOR. zzz.

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Feb. 14 1967 A. CRAWLEY m 3,303,579

BOOK DRYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 T NVNTOR.

N M ZE' d BY ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 14, 1967 A. CRAWLEY m 3,303,579

BooK DRYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 lll *3%12:75.11 ,Wfl-WOR.

@1f/WMM 4o M Feb. 14, 1967 A. CRAWLEY m 3,303,579

BOOK DRYING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2l, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Z mvENTORZZZM, mm

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,303,579 BOOK DRYING APPARATUS Arthur Crawleylll, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Crawley Book Machinery, Inc.,Newport, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No.426,947 15 Claims. (Cl. 34-236) This invention relates to an apparatusfor applying heat to freshly glued and assembled -books so as to dry theadhesive which secures the book covers to the book fillers.

Generally speakin-g, in the manuifacture of books, each page block orller, comprising the printed leaves of the book, are assembled bystitching, or in some cases by a gluing operation. Each book cover isassembled as a separate unit, subsequently to be applied to the bookfiller by a gluing operation. After fabrication of the book fillers andcovers, each iiller is inserted within a cover, with wet adhesiveapplied to the rounded end portion of the ller and also .to the flatsides of the iiller (or to the correspondin-g surfaces of the cover) toprovide an adhesive bond between the meeting surfaces of the iiller andcover. After the application of the adhesive, the filler is slipped intothe cover so as to bring the adhesive surfaces of the sides and therounded end of the book filler into contact with the correspondingsurfaces of the book filler.

In one procedure (used extensively in the past) the assembly of thebooks is completed 'by stacking the books between pressboards, eachhaving a ridge or rib projecting from opposite sides. In fabricatingbooks by this method, the freshly glued boo-ks are placed between pairsof pressboards, with the ribs extending along the covers adjacent therounded ends, with pressure applied to the pressboards. In this methodof fabrication, the ridges impress the crease lines adjacent ltherounded end of the books so as to draw the covers under pressure intoengagement with the rounde-d ends of the book fillers, while thepressboards hold the flat sides of the covers into pressure enga-gementwith the opposite side of the book iillers.

In order to speed up the assembly operation, various types of powermachine-s have been developed to press and crease freshly Igluedassembled books in a rapid continuous manner, such that the pressing andcreasing (or nipping) mechanism may form a part of a production line forthe assembly of books in a continuous manner.

According to lthis system, the books are glued andassembled in a machineknown in the industry, as a casingin machine, then they are advanced toa pressing and creasing machine where a series of nippers or creasersact upon the rounded end portions of the books to draw the coverassembly into intimate engagement with the rounded edge of the book. Inpassing through this machine, respective sets of presser plates also actupon the at sides of the book covers to force the covers into i-ntimateengagement with the sides of the book ller. A machine of this type isdisclosed in the patent iss-ned to Arthur Crawley et al., No. 2,921,322.i

After passing through the pressing and creasing machine, the books areadvanced in a continuous stream through the dryer apparatus of thepresent machine. It will be understood, at this point, that, as thebooks issue from the pressing and creasing machine, the cover is, atleast in a preliminary way, bonded to the rounded end of the filler andalso to the opposite sides of the ller. However, the assembled booksrequire further heat treatment before they are in condition to be placedon the market.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention has been toprovide a book drying -apparatus which is adapted to receive acontinuous stream of books issuing 3,303,579 Patented Feb. 14, 1967 ICCfrom a book pressing and creasing machine and adapted to apply radiantheat, particularly to the rounded ends of the books, during advancement,thereby to provide a permanent bond between the cover and rounded end ofthe book.

According to this aspect of the invention, the books issuing from thepressing and creasing machine pass to a conveyor system comprising apair of chains having spaced transverse book support bars which engagethe rounded ends of the books. The conveyor system advances with respectto a series of radiant heating elements, mounted beneath the conveyor,which apply radiant heat to the rounded ends of the books as they areadvanced, thereby to complete the adhesive drying action. v

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a dryingapparatus which is of relatively compact design so as to be capable ofinstallation in book binding plants, particularly those in which the oorspace is limited.

It will be understood that, in order to provide the required dryingperiod for the heating elements to act upon the 'freshly glued, roundedends of the advancing books, the dryer apparatus necessarily must be ofconsiderable length. However, in order to provide a practical apparatusfor installation in an average plant, the present machine is providedwith a plurality of conveyor runs, angularly related to one another toconserve space. Each conveyor run includes a lbook-receiving end and abookdischarge end, the discharge end of one run being adjacent thereceiving end of the next run. 'Phe discharge and receiving ends of theconveyor runs communicate with one another by means of one or moreturntables which rotate at a substantially the same rotary speed as thelineal speed of the conveyor runs, and arranged to transfer the book[from the downstream end of one conveyor run to the upstream end of thecompanion conveyor run.

By virtue of this arrangement, the conveyor runs may be arranged ingenerally V-shaped formation comprising two conveyor runs connected by aturntable; in another example the runs may be arranged in zigzag ors-witchback formation comprising three or more runs connected by meansof several turntables; in still another form of the invention, theconveyor system may comprise two runs extending in the same directionbut displaced laterally from one another and connected by a thirdtransverse run, such that the three conveyor runs are interconnectedwith one another by means of two turntables.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a dryerapparatus which is adjustable so as .to accommodate books of varioussizes and thicknesses.

Generally speaking, the books, which advance with their rounded endsresting upon the conveyor runs, are supported in upright position bymeans of parallel guide plates spaced apart from one another and risingupwardly along opposite sides of the conveyor run. The parallel guideplates interconnect with arcuate guide plates which extend around theturntables in generally concentric relationship so as to guide the booksin the upright position in their arcuate path of motion about theturntable from thedownstream end of one conveyor 11m to the upstream endof the next conveyor run.

In order to accommodate the various sizes of books (variations in lengthand width) the longitudinal guide plates of the conveyor runs, and alsothe arcuate guide plates of the turntables, are mounted for transverseadjustment with reference to one another. According to this aspect ofthe invention, the drying apparatus may be set up to handle 'any of thevarious sizes of books for which the pressing and creasing machine isdesigned.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more fullyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating in a general way, onearrangement of the present book conveyor system in relation to theconveyor runs of the book drying apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic plan View, generally similar to FIGURE 1,illustrating 'a second form of the book conveyor system in relation tothe book drying apparatus. The conveyor system -of FIGURE 2 has beenselected as atypical example to illustrate the principles of theinvention in the specification.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to FIGURE 2, showinganother typical arrangement of the conveyor system in relation to thesections of the book drying apparatus.

FIG'URE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the conveyor system ofFIGURE 2, including one of the turntables which transfer the books fromone conveyor run to another.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan as viewed along line 5 5 of FIGURE 4,illustrating the power motor and transmission system which drive theconveyor system and turntables.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary top plan as viewed along the line 6-6 ofFIGURE 4, illustrating the conveyor system and turntables shown inFIGURE 4. FIGURES 4 and 6 correspond with the conveyor system showndiagrammatically in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary enlarged plan, taken from the left hand end ofFIGURE 6, detailing the end portion of the book conveyors, elevatingpaddlewheels, turntables, and adjustable turntable guides which adaptthe conveyor system land turntable to books of different lengths andthicknesses.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view taken along line 8'-8 of FIGURE 7,further detailing the turntable in relation to the conveyor runs, withparts broken 'away -to bring out more clearly certain features of themechanlsm.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9 9 of FIGURE 8, detailingone of the turntables and the driving system which connects theturntable to the conveyor system for rotary motion.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE4, detailing a portion of the book conveyor system in relation to theheater tubes which act upon the freshly glued, rounded ends of thebooks.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional vview taken from FIGURE10 and detailing one of the cross rods of the conveyor system whichsupport the rounded end of the book with reference to the heatingelements which extend longitudinally in the conveyor runs.

FIGURE l2 is a sectional View taken along line 12-12 of FIGURE 7,detailing one of the paddlewheel assemblies which lift the advancingbooks from the end portion of the conveyor run to the turntable andwhich lowers -the books back to the adjacent conveyor run after passageabout the turntable.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional View taken along line 13-13 of FIGURE l2,illustrating the structural details of one of the paddlewheels.

General arrangement The principles of the book drying apparatus of thisinvention are disclosed generally in FIGURES 1-3. As noted later, thesystem disclosed in FIGURE 2 has been selected as a typical example inlthe detailed drawings and dlsclosure. However, it will be understoodthat the same principles are utilized in -the examples which areillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3.

As explained earlier, the dryer apparatus necessarily has a considerablelength in order to PIQVidQ in@ Ie .veyor run.

4 quired drying period during which the heating elements act upon thefreshly glued, continuously advancing books. The three typical exampleshave been illustrated to bring out the variations in the conveyor systemand heating sections adapted to fit within the oor space of various bookbinding plants.

In the manufacture of books, as indicated earlier, each page block orfiller, as one step in the operation, is assembled as a unit bystitching or the like. Each book cover is also fabricated as a separateunit, later to be applied to the ller. In general, the book is assembledby applying wet adhesive to the rounded end portion of the filler and tothe sides of the filler (or to the meeting surfaces of the book cover)then the filler is slipped into the cover so as to bring the adhesivesurfaces into contact with one another.

After this operation, the assembled books are advanced through a bookpressing and creasing machine which includes flat plates or smashersengageable with the opposite sides of the book cover; the machinefurther includes creasers or nippers which engage the lower edge portionof the book adjacent the rounded end thereof.

The purpose of the smashers or presser plates is to forcethe freshlyglued book covers into intimate contact with the opposite sides of thebook cover to primarily form an adhesive bond therebetween. The purposeof the nippers is to draw the flexible portion of the cover intointimate contact with the rounded end of the book to form a preliminaryadhesive bond between the rounded end of the book and the roundedportion of the cover. After the smashing and nipping operation, eachbook is advanced to the continuously advancing conveyor of the drierassembly of this invention for the application of heat, particularly tothe rounded end of the book so as to set the adhesive before the book isdischarged from the machine.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 1, the conveyor -system isgenerally V-shaped, comprising two conveyor runs angularly related toone another. The ends of the conveyor system, as explained later, are inconnection with one another by a turntable constructed in accordancewith this invention.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 2 utilizes the same principles as shownin FIGURE l; however, in this case, the conveyor system is of theswitchback type, wherein the books are discharged through a zigzag path.

In the form disclosed diagrammatically in FIGURE 3 the conveyor systemcomprises two runs displaced laterally from one another and connected bya transverse con- The systems illustrated in FIGURES 1-3 representtypical arrangements which are adapted to accommodate different bookbinding plants.

Arrangement of rsl system (FIGURE I) impress the crease into theopposite sides of the bookl adjacent its rounded end so as to pull therounded portion of the cover into intimate engagement with the roundedend of the book, thereby to bring the glued surfaces into intimatecontact with one another in this area.

Upon-being discharged from the smashing and nipping mechanism 1 (FIGUREl), each book is advanced to a conveyor system, indicated generally at2, having a first `run 3 which advances in the direction indicated bythe arrow, which advances each book continuously through a predryersection indicated generally at 4. The predryer section 4 includesheating elements extending longitudinally beneath the conveyor andarranged to project relatively high temperature heat rays to the roundedend of the book to provide a preliminary drying action.

After passing through the predryer, the books are advanced continuouslyabove a series of radiant heating elements which extend longitudinallybeneath the conveyor between the predryer and the turntable, which isindicated generally at 5, which rotates in the direction indicated bythe arrow. Upon reaching the turntable 5, each book is lifted from theconveyor 2 to the turntable which carries the book in an arc, thenlowers the book to the second run 6 of the conveyor system. The secondrun 6 of the conveyor system, as indicated by the arrow, receives thebooks after they have passed through an arc about the turntable 5, thenadvances the books in the direction indicated by the arrow toward thedischarge portion of the machine 7.

The discharge portion 7 of the machine comprises, in the present examplethree sections comprising a renipper mechanism 8, a counter and stacker10, and a book gathering mechanism 11 having a discharge end 12.

The renipper mechanism 8 includes opposed sets of creaser jaws ornippers which apply pressure to the creased edge of each book adjacentits rounded end, providing a finishing operation with reference to arounded end; the counter and stacker mechanism 10 and book gatheringmechanism 11 collect the books for discharge from the machine.

It will be noted that the system disclosed in FIGURE 1 is so arrangedthat the books, which are fed into the nipper-gluer 1 at the upstreamend of the conveyor system 2, are discharged at the downstream end as at12, laterally displaced from the upstream end of the conveyor. Thissystem is designed to accommodate one given type of plant layout.

It will be understood at this point, that the invention is directed tothe dryer assembly comprising conveyor system 2, in combination with theturntable 5 and coacting elements. For this reason, a detaileddisclosure of the nipper-gluer 1 at the upstream end of the conveyorsystem 2 and of the discharge portion 7 at the downstream end have beenomitted from this disclosure. The structural details of the conveyorsystem, which is common to the three systems illustrated (FIGURES 1-3)are disclosed at a later point in this specification.

Arrangement of second system (FIGURE 2) In the system discloseddiagrammatically in FIGURE 2, the nipper-gluer, indicated generally at1, is similar to the corresponding mechanism shown in FIGURE l, and thedischarge portion 7 is also similar. In this installation, the conveyorsystem 2 is of switchback or zigzag formation, comprising an upstreamrun 13, a return run 14, and a downstream run 15 leading to thedischarge portion 7. In this conveyor system, there is provided a firstturntable 16 providing connection between the upstream run 13 anddownstream run 14. A second turntable 17 provides connection between thereturn run 14 and downstream run 15.

The run 13 of the conveyor system 2 includes a predryer section 4,having high temperature heating elements (not shown). The conveyor run13, 14 and 15 also include radiant heating elements extendinglongitudinally of the conveyor runs, as described above with referenceto FIGURE l.

The conveyor system of FIGURE 2 is adapted to reduce the length of thedryer assembly While still providing a sucient time period for the gluedrying operation. In this arrangement, the freshly glued books are fedinto the apparatus at one end and are discharged at the opposite end ofthe machine, as distinguished from the system shown in FIGURE 1.

Arrangement of third system (Figure 3) The dyer apparatus showndiagrammatically in FIG- URE 3 is also similar in principle toarrangements shown in FIGURES l and 2. However, in this instance thenipper-gluer 1 is located at the opposite side of the plant and thedischarge portion 7 is displaced laterally. In this arrangement, theconveyor system 2 includes an upstream run 18, a lateral run 20 and adownstream run 21. A first turntable 22 transfers the books from theupstream run 18 to the lateral run 20 and a second turntable 23transfers the books from the lateral run 20 to the downstream run 21.The conveyor system 2 also includes a high temperature predryer 4 withradiant heating elements extending longitudinally along the conveyerruns 18, 20 and 21. The books are advanced from the nipper-gluer 1 inthe direction indicated by the arrows to the discharge portion 7.

Conveyor and driving System (Figures 2 and 4-13) As noted earlier, thethree typical arrangements of the dryer mechanism, illustrated inFIGURES 1-3, all utilize the same principles of operation. However, thesystem shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 2 has -been selected as atypical example of the invention. The following detailed descriptiontherefore is made with reference to the arrangement showndiagrammatically in FIG- URE 2 and the related detailed views (FIGURES4-13).

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, the apparatus which has been selected toilustrate the principles of this invention, comprises the switchback orreverse bend conveyor system illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 2,utilizing the rst and second turntables 16 and 17, previously described.As noted earlier, this conveyor system comprises the upstream run 13leading from the nipper-gluer section, previously indicated at 1, to thefirst turntablel 16. The turntable 16 advances the freshly glued booksthrough an arc of to the return or switchback run 14 which carries thebooks to the second turntable 17. The second turntable 17 carries thebooks through another half turn (180) and delivers them to thedownstream run 15 for advancement to the discharge section 12 of themachine. It will be understood that the runs 13, 14 and 15 of theconveyor system 2 need not be disposed in parallel relationship; inother words, the runs may -be related to one another at other angles, asdictated by the layout of the plant in which the machine is installed.

Described in detail (FIGURES 4-6), the book drying apparatus, selectedto illustrate the invention, comprises in general, a frame structure,indicated generally at 24 comprising vertical legs 25 having horizontalrails 26 which support the chains of the conveyor system 2, previouslyindicated in FIGURE 2. The conveyor system (FIGURES 4-6) is driven by apower motor 27 mounted upon a platform 28, which is attached to theframe 24 of the conveyor system at the end of the downstream run 15 ofthe conveyor system 2. The motor 27 is connected by a belt or chain 30to a speed reduction unit 31 which is in driving connection with theconveyor system 2 (FIGURE 5).

The -conveyor system is connected to the speed reduction unit 31 by wayof a sprocket chain 33 meshing with a sprocket 32 of the speed reductionunit 31. Chain 33 passes around a sprocket 34 which is mounted upon across shaft 35 journalled in the machine frame 24 (FIG- URES 4 and 5).Shaft 35 includes a pair of sprockets 36-36 (FIGURE 5) which advance thechains 37--37 of the conveyor system 2.

It will be understood at this point that the entire conveyor system,including the turntables 16 and 17 (FIG- URE 6) are driven by the powermotor 27 through the speed reduction unit 31. It will also be understoodthat a similar power motor and speed reduction unit is utilized indriving the conveyor system and turntables in the drying apparatus whichis illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3. In each instance, the several runs ofthe conveyor system are interconnected with one another through adriving system which rotates the turntables in time with the advancementof the conveyor runs, as explained later in detail.

The conveyor chains 37-37 (FIGURE 10) are supported upon rails 38--38which are carried by angle irons 40-40 attached to the frame 24 of themachine. Each chain 37 includes lugs 41-41 (FIGURES 10 and 11) risingupwardly from the respective chains 37, and arranged in pairs on therespective chains 37. The upper ends of the pairs of lugs 41--41 arebored to receive the opposite ends of cross rods, indicated generally at42-42, which are clamped in place by pairs of nuts 43 (FIG- URE 11).

Each cross rod 42 includes a covering of plastic material 44 which isarranged to support and advance the rounded end 45 of the book 46, asindicated in FIG- URE 10.

As viewed in FIGURE 7, the cross rods 42 are spaced apart from oneanother to support the books; on the other hand, the rods 42 do notinterfere with the action of the radiant heaters, which are mountedbeneath the conveyor runs and arranged to project heat rays upon therounded ends 45 of the books.

As noted earlier, the predryer section 4 (FIGURE 2) comprises a seriesof conventional high temperature electrical heating elements adapted toproject radiant heat upon the freshly glued, rounded ends 45 of thebooks as they issue from the nipper-gluer section 1 of the machine.These heating elements are of conventional design and have not beendisclosed in detail.

After passing beyond the predryer section 4, the books are ladvanced bythe conveyor system 2 above a series of radiant heat lamps, indicatedgenerally at 47 (FIG- URE 10). The heat lamps 47 have substantial lengthand are arranged longitudinally in series with one another beneath theruns ,(runs 13, 14 and TLS- FIGURE 2) of the conveyor system. In orderto direct the heat rays, the heat lamps 47 are provided with reectors 48(FIGURE l) facing upwardly toward the rounded ends 45 of the books. Theheat lamps and reectors yare supported by cross bars 50, which in turn,are supported by hangers 51 which are attached to the frame 24 of themachine (FIGURE As noted earlier, the :several runs 13, 14 and 15 of theconveyor system 2 are all driven by the motor 27 yand speed reductionunit 31. The power is transmitted from the power motor 27 and speedreduction unit 31 to the first conveyor run (downstream) as shown inFIGURE 6. The return or switchback run 14 is driven by downstream run 15through the second turntable 17 and upstream run 13 is driven by theswitchback run 14 through the iirst turntable 16, as explained in detaillater. The driving connection through the turntable is identical foreach run .and is disclosed in detail in FIG- URE 9, which represents thedrive through the first turntable 16 (FIGURE 2).

As best illustrated in FIGURE 4, each conveyor run 13, 14 and 15 is inthe form of `an endless loop which includes upper or Ibook transportsection (chains 37-37 and cross rods 42-FIGURE 10). Each conveyor chainloop includes an idler run 52 which depends in slack condition below theupper or active run of the conveyor.

As indicated generally in FIGURES 7-8 (iirst turntable 16), the chains37 of switchback run 14 pass idler sprockets 53-53 which are keyed to yacross shaft 54 journalled as at 55 upon the frame 24. The driven crossshaft 54 drive-s the turntable 16, as explainedrlater.

Brieiiy, each conveyor run 13, 14 and 15 comprise an individual loopconsisting of the parallel chain runs 37- 37, with slack return runs52--52. In other words, each conveyor run 13, 14 and 15 comprises aself-contained unit; however, the three runs are driven from one another8 by the power motor 27 (FIGURES 4 and 5) and through the turntable 16and 17 in time with one another and in time with th-e rotary motion ofthe turntables.

As best shown in FIGURES 6 and 10, each conveyor run 13, 14 and 15includes a longitudinal guide passageway, indicated generally at 56,adapted to slidably support the books 46 in their vertical position uponthe cross rods 42 for advancement with reference to the predryer section4 and radiant heat lamps 47. In order to accommodate the machine to thethickness of various books which are advanced through the machine, thelongitudinal passageway 56 is adjustable transversely.

Described in detail (FIGURES 6 land 7) ea-ch longitudinal guidepassageway 56 communicates with arcuate guide passageways, indicatedgenerally at 57, which connect with the longitudinal guide passageways56 so as to lguide the books through their arcuate path about theturntable from one longitudinal conveyor run to another.

Described in detail (FIGURES 7-10), each longitudinal guide passageway56 comprises a pair of spaced guide plates 58-58, the plates havinginset lower portions 60-60 adapted to slidably embrace the lower portionof the book 46, immediately above the rounded end 45. In order tostiff/en the plates 58, the lower edge of each plate is provided with aright angular flange 61. The upper edge of each plate 58 includes anangular flange 62 to further stiffen the plate and to facilitatehandling of thebooks 46, should this be necessary.

In order to compensate for the thickness of the books, each guide plate58 is ladjustably supported upon la bracket 63 (FIGURE 10) rising fromthe frame 24 of the machine. The upper end of each bracket 63 is boredto slidably receive a mounting rod 64. The inner end of each mountingrod 64 is attached as at 65-65 to its guide plate 58. The guide platesare locked in their transversely adjusted position by means of screws66-66 which are threaded through the brackets 63 and into engagementwith the mounting rods 6464.

It will be noted that each conveyor run is provided with a seriesofbrackets 63 (FIGURE 4), the arrangement being identical for each ofthe conveyor runs 13, 14 and 15. As explained later in detail, eachlongitudinal guide passageway 56, as delineated by the guide plates58-58, communicate with the arcuate guide passageways 57 (FIGURES 6 and7) which guide the books about the rst `and second turntables 16 and 17.

Turntable and paddle wheel drive As indicated previously, the turntable16 and 17 and the associated paddle wheels, indicated generally at 69,are indentical in construction. The turntable and paddle wheel for eachrun are driven by the conveyor system, such that each associated paddlewheel and turntable advance in time with the conveyor system 2.

Referring to FIGURES 7 land 9, each turntable comprises .a circular disk67 having a hub 68 journalled by ball-bearings 70 upon a vertical shaft71. Shaft 71 is mounted in a bracket 72 rising from the frame 24 of themachine. The disk 67 includes a bevel gear 73 (FIGURE 9) journalled onvertical shaft 71 and pinned Ias at 74 to the turntable disk 67.

In order to impart rotary motion to the turntable, the bevel gear 73 isin mesh with a bevel gear 75 which 1s pinned as at 76 to cross shaft 54.As described earlier, cross shaft 54 carries the idler sprockets 53-53of the switchback conveyor run 14, which drives turntable 16.

The conveyor chains 37-37, which are `advanced by the motor 27, thusdrive shaft 54; shaft 54, by way of bevel gears 73 and 75 impart rotarymotion to the turntable 16 at a speed correlated with the lineal motionof the switchback conveyor run 14.

In order to advance the upstream conveyor run 13 in time with theswitchback run 14, there is provided ya second or driven bevel gear 77pinned as at 78 to the cross 9 shaft 80 which carries the drivesprockets 81-81 previously noted (FIGURE 9). The sprockets 81 thus drivethe upstream conveyor run 13 at a speed identical with the speed of theswitchback run 14.

As the books advance along the conveyor runs toward the turntables (forexample, conveyor run 13 toward turntable 11S-FIGURE 2), the leadingedge of each book is elevated by the paddle wheel 69, located in aposition generally tangent to the turntable (FIGURE 7). A second paddlewheel 82 is located at the opposite side of the turntable 16. Bothpaddle wheels 69 and 82 are rotated by chain drives 83 and 84 (FIGURES4, 7 and 8). Chain drive 83 includes a sprocket 85 keyed to the crossshaft 54 (FIGURE 9). The other chain drive 84 includes a sprocket 86keyed to shaft 80.

Each chain drive 83 and 84 includes a chain 87 meshing -with thesprockets 88 and 90 of the paddle wheel shafts 91-91 of the paddlewheels 69 and 82. The cross shafts 91 are journalled in bearing blocks92 which are mounted upon the frame 24 of the machine.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6 the rst paddle wheel A, indicated previouslyat 69, lifts the books from the iirst conveyor run 13 to the turntable16 which is arranged to move the book through .an are of 180". Thesecond paddle wheel B, also indicated at 82, is also located forrotation in a position generally tangent to the turntable so as to carrythe books from the turntable 16 and to deposit .the books upon theswitchback run 14. The second turntable 17 is similarly provided withidentical paddle wheels C and D in driving connection with the conveyorsystem and rotating in time with the conveyor system and turntable 17for the same purpose.

Described in detail (FIGURES 12 and 13), each paddle Wheel 69 or 82comprises a cylindrical hub 93 secured to shaft 91 by means of a setscrew 94. The hub includes a series of generally U-shaped brackets 9Ssecured by screws 96 to the periphery of hub 93. The U-shaped brackets95 provide respective limbs 97 which project radially from the axis ofrotation of shaft 91 upon which hub 93 is mounted.

In order to elevate the books from the surface of the conveyor run (forexample run 13, indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 13), each paddlewheel is provided with radial vanes 98 which are attached to the limbs97 by means of screws 100. The vanes 98 are formed from a resilientmaterial, `such as a soft plastic or rubber in order to providefrictional engagement with the rounded end 45 of the book.

As best 4shown in FIGURE 13, the paddle wheel 69 is mounted for rotationat an elevation (shaft 91) whereby the periphery E (shown in brokenlines) of the paddle wheel intercepts and rises above the top surface ofthe conveyor run 13. It will be noted in this view, that the turntable16 is located in a horizontal plane above the Isurface of conveyor run13 as at F in FIG- URE 13,

Accordingly, as a given book, indicated at G in broken lines (FIGURE 13)advances to the paddle wheel, its leading end H is engaged by one of thevanes 98 of the paddle ywheel and is elevated as indicated in brokenlines. The vanes 98 of the paddle wheel, through continued rotation,elevate and advance the book in a path generally tangent to the rotatingturntable 16 so as to deposit the book upon the turntable, `with thebook resting upon its rounded edge 45'.

The book is then carried by the turntable through its arc for depositupon the next conveyor run. The motion of the book upon reaching thenext run of the conveyor is similar to that indicated in FIGURE 13.However, at the discharge point, the paddle wheel, which is rotating inthe opposite direction, engages the rounded end 4S of the block,elevates it from the turnta-ble and advances it in a generally taugentalpath from the turntable yto the next run ofthe conveyor.

Adjustable arcuate guides Upon being elevated to the turntable 16 by thepaddle wheel 69, each book is engaged by the arcuate guideway,previously indicated generally lat 57 (FIGURE 7), extending through an-arc of approximately 180 above the turntable 16, A similar guideway ismounted with reference to the second turntable 17. .The arc-uateguideway 57 has opposite ends connected to the longitudinal guideways 56so as to control the path of motion of the books as they pass from oneconveyor run to the turntable for movement through an arc to the nextconveyor run.

In order to accommodate for the various book sizes, each arcuateguideway S7 (FIGURE 7) is of adjustable design; As best shown in FIGURE7, each arcuate guideway 57 comprises an outer arcuate band 101 formedof flexible material and bent to an arc corresponding generally to theradius of the turntable. The opposite ends of the band 101 adjoin thelongitudinal guide plates 58 and are held in position with respect tothe ends of the guide plates 58 by means of mounting blocks 102- 102.

As noted earlier, the longitudinal guide plates 58 are mounted foradjustment transversely to accommodate for the thickness of the booksIwhich are advanced through the apparatus. When the outer longitudinalguide plates 58 are adjusted transversely, the adjoining ends of thearcuate band 101 are shifted in unison therewith. In addition, theradius of the arcuate band 101 also is adjustable with reference to thelongitudinal guide rails S8 to accommodate the size of the books.

Described in detail, the mounting blocks 102-102 (FIGURE 7), whichsupport the arcuate band 101 are secured rigidly to the end portions ofband 101 at opposite ends thereof. Each mounting block 102, in turn,includes a support rod 103. Each Isupport rod 103 slidably passesthrough a clamping block 104 which is attached to the end p-ortion ofthe companion outer longitudinal guide plate 58. Each clamping block 104includes a thumb screw 105 which engages the support rod 103. By virtueof this arrangement, the end portions of the arcuate band 101 areshifted transversely `with the outer guide plates 58 when Ithe apparatusis adjusted to accommodate a given book size. In addition, the radius ofthe flexible band 101 may be adjusted by loosening the thumb screws 105,then shifting the position of the arcuate band 101 longitudinally withreference to the outer guide plates 58.

The arcuate passageway S7 further includes an inner arcuate band 106(FIGURE 7) which forms a continuation of the inner longitudinal guideplate 58. The inner band 106 is also formed of flexible material and isadapted to shift transversely in unison with the inner longitudinalguide `plates 58 when the apparatus is adjusted for a run of given sizebooks. The radius of the inner band 106 is also adjustable in the samemanner outlined above with reference to the outer band 101.

For this purpose the opposite ends of each inner band 106 are connectedto the inner guide plate 58 for transverse adjustment therewith. Inaddition, the end portions of the inner band 106 are arranged forlongitudinal adjustment with reference to the inner longitudinal guideplates 58, thereby to vary the radius of the inner band in accommodatingthe size of the books for which the machine is adjusted.

Described in detail (FIGURE 7) each end of the inner band 106 includes amounting block 107. Each mounting block 107 includes a support rod 10Sslidably passing through a bore formed in a clamping block 110, which isattached to the end portion of the companion inner longitudinal guideplate 58. The clamping block 110 includes a thumb screw 111 engageablewith the support rod 108 and adapted to clamp the mounting block 107 andinner flexible band 106 in an adjusted position. By virtue of thisarrangement, the inner arcuate band 106 l1 shifts transversely with theinner longitudinal guide plates 58 upon adjustment thereof, and theradius of the inner band 106 may be varied, as required, by adjustingthe support rods S with reference to the clamping blocks 110.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A book drying apparatus for applying heat to assembled and freshlyglued books comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of conveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run and at least onedownstream run;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream conveyor run adapted to receive said freshly glued books;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run being disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run;

a turntable rotatably journalled for rotation about a generally verticalaxis adjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run;

power means in driving connection with said conveyor lruns for advancingthe same lineally and for irnparting rotary motion to the turntable in adirection to advance the -books in an arcuate path from the dischargeend of the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of the downstreamrun.

2. A book drying apparatus for applying heat to assembled and freshlyglued books comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of conveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run and at least onedownstream run;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream conveyor run adapted to receive said freshly glued books;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run being disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run;

heating elements mounted relative to at least one of said conveyor runsand adapted to project heat upon the books advancing along said conveyorrun;

a turntable rotatably journalled for rotation about a generally verticalaxis adjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run;

power means in driving connection with said conveyor runs for advancingthev same lineally and for imparting rotary motion to the turntable in adirection to advance the books in an arcuate path from the discharge endof the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of the downstream run.

3. A book drying apparatus for applying heat to freshly glued bookshaving rounded ends comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of conveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run ad-v vancing in a iirstdirection and at least one downstream run advancing in a seconddirection;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream run adapted to receive said freshly glued books with therounded ends of the fbooks resting upon the conveyor run;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run bein-g disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run; heating elements mountedbeneath said conveyor .runs and adapted to project heat upon the'roundedends of the books advancing along said conveyor runs; a turntablerotatably journalled for rotation about a generally vertical axisadjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run; power means in drivingconnection with said conveyor runs for advancing the same lineally andfor imparting rotary motion to the turntable in a direction-corresponding to the direction of advancement of said conveyor runs;said turntable Iadapted to advance the books in an arcuate path from thedischarge end of the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of thedownstream run; and respective pairs of longitudinal guide plates risinglupwardly from the opposite sides of said conveyor runs and adapted toslidably confine the books in generally upright position with roundedends thereof resting upon the conveyor runs. 4. A book drying apparatusfor applying heat t0 freshly glued books having rounded ends comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of conveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run advancing in a rstdirection and at least one downstream run advancing in a seconddirection;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream run adapted to receive said freshly glued books with therounded ends of the books resting upon the conveyor run;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run being disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run;

heating elements mounted beneath said conveyor runs and adapted toproject heat upon the rounded ends of the books advancing along saidconveyor runs;

a turntable rotatably journalled for rotation about a generally verticalaxis adjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run;

power means in driving connection with said conveyor runs for advancingthe same lineally and for im-4 parting rotary motion to the turntable ina direction corresponding to the direction of advancement of saidconveyor runs; v

said turntable adapted to advance the books in an arcuate path from thedischarge end of the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of thedownstream run;

respective pairs of longitudinal guide plates rising upwardly from theopposite side of said conveyor runs and adapted to slidably conne thebooks in generally upright position with rounded ends thereof restingupon the conveyor runs;

and inner and outer arcuate guideplates extending around the turntablein positions generally concentric to the axis of rotation of theturntable, said. arcuate guide plates having end portions interconnectedto the end porti-ons of said longitudinal guide plates of the upstreamand downstream runs of the conveyor system an'd adapted to guide thebooks in an arcuate path from the downstream end of one pair oflongitudinal guide plates to the upstream end of the second pair oflongitudinal guide plates.

5. A book drying apparatus for applying heat to freshly glued bookshaving rounded ends comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of conveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run advancing in a rstdirection and at least one downstream run advancing in a seconddirection;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream run adapted to receive said freshly glued books with therounded ends of the books resting upon the conveyor run;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run being disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run;

heating elements mounted beneath said conveyor runs and adapted toproject heat upon the rounded ends of the books advancing along saidconveyor runs;

a turntable rotatably journalled for rotation about a generally verticalaxis adjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run;

power means in driving connection with said conveyor runs for advancingthe same lineally and for imparting rotary motion to the turntable in adirection corresponding to the direction of advancement of said conveyorruns;

said turntable adapted to advance the books in an arcuate path from thedischarge end of the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of thedownstream run;

respective pairs of longitudinal guide plates rising upwardly from theopposite sides of said convepor runs and adapted to slidably confine thebooks in generally upright position with rounded ends thereof restingupon the conveyor runs;

means for adjusting the said longitudinal guide plates transverselyrelative to one another, thereby to accommodate the drying apparatus tobooks of different thicknesses;

and inner and outer arcuate guide plates extending around the turntablein positions generally concentric to the axis of rotation of theturntable, said arcuate guide plates having end portions interconnectedto the end portions of said longitudinal guide plates of the upstreamand downstream runs of the conveyor system and adapted to guide thebooks in an arcuate path from the downstream end of one pair oflongitudinal guide plates to the upstream end of the second pair oflongitudinal guide plates.

6. A book drying apparatus for applying heat to freshly glued bookshaving rounded ends comprising:

a frame structure;

a plurality of Iconveyor runs angularly related to one another andmounted for lineal advancement along said frame structure;

said conveyor runs comprising an upstream run and at least onedownstream run;

each conveyor run having a book-receiving end and a book-discharge end;

said upstream run adapted to receive said freshly glued books with therounded ends of the books resting upon the conveyor run;

the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run being disposed adjacentthe receiving end of the downstream run;

heating elements mounted beneath said conveyor runs and adapted toproject heat upon the rounded ends of the books advancing along saidconveyor runs;

a turntable rotatably journalled for rotation about a generally Verticalaxis adjacent the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run and thereceiving end of the downstream conveyor run;

power means in driving connection with said conveyor runs for advancingthe same lineally in the same direction relative to the frame;

power means in driving connection with the turntable adapted to impartrotary motion to the turntable in a direction corresponding to thedirection of advancement of said conveyor runs;

said turntable adapted to advance the books in an arcuate path from thedischarge end of the upstream conveyor run to the receiving end of thedownstream run;

respective pairs of longiutdinal guide plates rising upwardly from theopposite sides of said conveyor runs and adapted to slidably conne thebooks in generally upright position with rounded ends thereof restingupon the conveyor runs;

inner and outer arcuate guide plates extending around the turntable inpositions generally concentric with the axis of rotation of theturntable, said arcuate guide plates having end potrions interconnectedto the end portions of said longitudinal guide plates of the upstreamand downstream runs of the conveyor system;

and adjustment means connected to said inner and outer guide platesadapted to change the radius thereof, thereby to adapt the guide platesto books of various sizes for advancement around the turntable.

7. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which there isprovided adjustment means interconnecting the end portions of thelongitudinal guide plates to the end portions of the inner and outerarcuate guide plates, adapting said inner and outer arcuate guide platesto be shifted relative to the end portions of the longitudinal guideplates, thereby to change the radius of said inner and outer arcuateguide plates to accommodate books of various sizes for advancement aboutthe turntable.

8. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the powermeans is in driving connection with said downstream conveyor run and inwhich there is provided a transmission unit in driving connectionbetween the downstream conveyor run and the turntable for impartingrotary motion to the turntable at a peripheral speed substantially equalto the lineal speed of the downstream conveyor run.

9. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which thetransmission unit which interconnects the turntable to said downstreamrun of the conveyor includes driving means interconnecting the turntablewith the upstream run of the conveyor, whereby said downstream run, saidturntable, and said upstream conveyor run all advance in the samedirection and at a substantially uniform lineal speed.

10. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which there isprovided a paddle wheel interposed between the discharge end of theupstream conveyor run and turntable;

said paddle wheel being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axisrelative to the vertical axis of rotation of the turntable;

and driving means interconnecting said paddle wheel with said conveyorruns for rotating the paddle Wheel in the same direction as saidconveyor runs and turntable;

said paddle wheel adapted to advance the books from the discharge end ofthe upstream conveyor run to the turntable.

11. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which there isprovided a first paddle wheel interposed between the discharge end ofthe upstream conveyor run and a second paddle wheel interposed betweensaid turntable and the book-receiving end of the downstream con veyorrun;

said paddle wheels being mounted for rotation about respectivehorizontal axes relative to the vertical axes of rotation of theturntables;

15 and driving means interconnecting said paddle wheels with saidconveyor runs for rotating the paddle wheels in the same direction assaid conveyor runs and turntable; said paddle wheels adapted to advancethe books from the discharge end of the upstream conveyor run to theturntable and from the turntable to the receiving end of the downstreamconveyor run.

12. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in Which eachconveyor run comprises a pair of chains spaced transversely from one.another;Y

each of said pair of chains having transverse book support bars spacedapart longitudinally from one another; l said transverse book supportbars adapted to engage and support the rounded ends of the books foradvancement about said heating elements', whereby the freshly gluedrounded ends of the books are exposed to said heatingelernents duringadvancement along v said conveyor runs.

13. A book drying apparatus as set forth in clair'n 2 in which saidconveyor runs are disposed generally in V-shaped `formation and in whichthe turntable is disposed adjacent book discharge end of said upstreamconveyor run and the book-receiving end of the downstream conveyor runat the apex of said V-shaped formation. t

14. A book drying apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which theplurality of conveyor runs are generally of zigzag formation comprising:

an upstream run;

switchback run;

16 l a downstreaml run, said conveyor runs being generally parallel withone another; ,v land respective turntables rotatably journalledforrotavti-on about generally vertical axes adjacent the ydischarge end ofone conveyor-run yand the receiving end of the ycompanion conveyor run.l

1S. A book drying apparatus as set forth' in claim 2 in which` theconveyorlsystenrcomprises:

an upstream conveyor run; 'Y Y y a downstream conveyor run extendinggenerally parallel with said upstream conveyor run; l v l j v l atransverse conveyor run extending from thev'bookdischarge end of theupstream run nto the bookreceiving end of said downstream run; e y a rstturntable journalledfor rotation about generally vertical axis adjacentthe discharge end -of .the upstream conveyorrun andthe book-receivingend of said transverse conveyor run; and second turntable mounted forrotation about a generally vertical axis adjacent'the book-'dischargeend of said transverse conveyor run and the bookreceiving end of saiddownstream run.

References` Cited' by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,867,8037/1932 Bredenberg 1l'-1 2,577,568 12/1951 DeFlorez et al. 1'1--12,878,496 3/1959 Terzuoli et al. 34-68 X 2,984,330 5/1961 Billeter198-105 X DONLEY I. STOCK-ING, Primary Examiner. C. R. REMKE, Assfsz'anfExaminer.-

1. A BOOK DRYING APPARATUS FOR APPLYING HEAT TO ASSEMBLED AND FRESHLYGLUED BOOKS COMPRISING: A FRAME STRUCTURE; A PLURALITY OF CONVEYOR RUNSANGULARLY RELATED TO ONE ANOTHER AND MOUNTED FOR LINEAL ADVANCEMENTALONG SAID FRAME STRUCTURE; SAID CONVEYOR RUNS COMPRISING AN UPSTREAMRUN AND AT LEAST ONE DOWNSTREAM RUN; EACH CONVEYOR RUN HAVING ABOOK-RECEIVING END AND A BOOK-DISCHARGE END; SAID UPSTREAM CONVEYOR RUNADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID FRESHLY GLUED BOOKS; THE DISCHARGE END OF THEUPSTREAM CONVEYOR RUN BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE RECEIVING END OF THEDOWNSTREAM RUN; A TURNTABLE ROTATABLY JOURNALLED FOR ROTATION ABOUT AGENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE END OF THE UPSTREAMCONVEYOR RUN AND THE RECEIVING END OF THE DOWNSTREAM CONVEYOR RUN; POWERMEANS IN DRIVING CONNECTION WITH SAID CONVEYOR RUNS FOR ADVANCING THESAME LINEALLY AND FOR IMPARTING ROTARY MOTION TO THE TURNTABLE IN ADIRECTION TO ADVANCE THE BOOKS IN AN ARCUATE PATH FROM THE DISCHARGE ENDOF THE UPSTREAM CONVEYOR RUN TO THE RECEIVING END OF THE DOWNSTREAM RUN.